Kuzul

The New York Yankees have some big pitching concerns, and for once it’s not the bullpen.

The starting rotation has been a major question mark and concern lately—so much so that many Yankees fans are not confident in this team’s chances in the playoffs if it makes it.

A.J. Burnett has put the Yankees in a very tough spot. Burnett and Javier Vazquez have both been extremely inconsistent this season.

Well, before the MLB trade deadline, the Yankees had a deal worked out with the Seattle Mariners that would have sent Cliff Lee to the Bronx. Adding Lee to the rotation would have helped the team in all areas. Not only would he have fit perfectly at the top of the rotation with CC Sabathia, but Lee would have also helped the bullpen.

Known for being able to pitch deep into games regularly, Lee would have given the bullpen much needed rest when he pitches.

Seattle backed out of the deal at the last minute, when everyone thought it was done and agreed upon. That bush league move now has the Yankees scrambling.

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The team with the best record in baseball has some major issues as the calendar approaches September. The Yankees remain atop the American League East, leading the Rays by one game. They do, however, have some issues and I’ve noticed many fans becoming concerned.

While they have a right and reasons to be concerned, it’s not quite time to panic just yet. It’s not one area that causes concern either. It’s multiple areas.

Starting pitching has been up and down of late. Ace CC Sabathia has really been the only consistent performer. A.J. Burnett, expected to be the number two starter this season, has been inconsistent to say the least. The righty had a very good start to the season before it all seemed to fall apart.

Recently the Yankees felt they had gotten Burnett back to normal. Then he delivered a bad performance last night against the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees will need Burnett down the stretch.

Phil Hughes has been a dependable starter all season. The problem comes when the Yankees limit his innings. The team has not announced an official plan for Hughes but it seems more and more likely they will limit him to somewhere around 170 regular season innings.

Javier Vazquez is another pitcher that has been very inconsistent. After a horrific start to the season, Vazquez has been much better. If he can figure out a way to keep the team in the game each and every time he steps on the mound, the Yankees will be much better off.

Andy Pettitte remains out with a groin injury. Originally he was expected to be back with the team right around this time, but he has since suffered a setback.The veteran lefty is an integral part of the Yankees rotation.

In Pettitte’s absence, Dustin Moseley has filled in nicely. While having an ERA over 4.00, Moseley has kept the Yankees in most of the games he has started. He allowed the Yankees to stay pat at the trade deadline instead of trading a key piece for another starter.

With Pettitte still out, Hughes being limited, and Vazquez and Burnett being inconsistent, the Yankees still may need some help. Sure they have Sergio Mitre who could be used in a spot start to give some guys rest, but I don’t think the Yankees want to try that again.

There are some reports that Ivan Nova will be promoted from Triple-A, most likely when rosters expand September 1st. Nova, the Yankees top pitching prospect at Scranton, will be used in spot starts to give the rotation some rest.

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By now, you all know the Yankees have had many great baseball players suit up in pinstripes. This years’ team is no different.

While we can talk about the terrific last minute start by Dustin Moseley, I’d rather take a look at some of the milestones that were set by a trio of current great Yankees players.

The milestones continue to mount for Yankees shortstop and captain Derek Jeter. It almost seems like each month, Jeter is setting a new record or moving up the charts toward another.

Last night in the Yankees win over the Boston Red Sox, an RBI single in the second inning moved Jeter passed Babe Ruth  on the all-time hits list. Jeter would add another hit, a two run double, to bring his total to 2,845.

Next up on the list? New York Giants great Mel Ott. The Yankees shortstop needs just one hit to tie Ott for 38th place.

For someone who has received many Yankee Stadium ovations, it never gets old for the captain.

“Any time your name is alongside or past any of the Yankee greats, that’s a special moment,” said Jeter.

Two of Jeter’s infield mates also collected milestones in last nights 7-2 victory over the Red Sox.

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The performance by Dustin Moseley last night against the Boston Red Sox reminded me of test taking.

Remember when you would study weeks in advance for a big test and when it came down to actually completing said test, your mind would go blank? Remember those tests when you crammed to study the night before, keeping the information fresh while also not allowing you to over think it?

Generally, those tests results come back showing some success. That’s exactly the result Yankees starter Dustin Moseley got last night in the Yankees 7-2 win over Boston.

Expected starter A.J. Burnett was scratched due to tightness in his back. The Yankees sounded the alarm and Moseley came firing.

With just 24 hours notice, Moseley would be making an emergency start. A start that would be televised nationally on ESPN against the Boston Red Sox.

Moseley stayed at the stadium late Saturday and arrived early Sunday to go through scouting reports and watch tape of Boston hitters. What result did Moseley get from this last minute test? How bout a standing ovation from the Yankee Stadium crowd!

Moseley would go 6^1/3 innings on Sunday, giving up just two runs. He was sensational both with his arm and glove. Moseley made a trio of very nice defensive plays to help himself.

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The Boston Red Sox are coming to Yankee Stadium for a four game series against the Yankees starting tonight.

Despite winning seven of their last 10 games, the Red Sox remain six games behind the Yankees who are sitting atop the American League East standings. They are a team, however, that has the potential to get hot and put even more pressure on the Yankees. As it is now, the Tampa Bay Rays are right on the Yankees heels, just a half game back.

Of course every game from here on out means a lot. The Yankees need to win and win often to keep pace with the Rays. This is a big four game series. A sweep either way would drastically change the standings.

Boston stood still for the most part as the trade deadline passed while the Yankees made three veteran additions. Both teams have had some injury issues this season, but Boston in particular has gotten the worst of it. The recent news of first baseman Kevin Youkilis  needing season ending surgery is a big blow to Boston.

New York would love to push the Red Sox further back in the standings. That would allow them to only worry about one team catching them. Boston is looking to get back in the race for the division as well as the Wild Card.

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The struggling New York Yankees have let the AL East get a little to tight. They are now tied with the Tampa Bay Rays for the division lead.

The Yankees have gone just 5-5 in their last ten games while the Rays have been hot. Tampa has won nine of their last ten including taking two of three from the Yankees.

It’s been a variety of issues for the Yankees of late. One game the lineup won’t produce runs, the next it’s a sub par pitching performance.

The American League East is going to be a race to the finish most likely. If you are the Yankees, you should know every game matters from here on out. The Rays and Red Sox are not going to go away easily.

Tampa’a pitching is to good. The Yankees found out just how good that Tampa staff can be in the past series between the two teams. In the Yankees two losses, they scored a combined two runs.

Tampa’s pitching will keep them right in it in the division. With the Yankees having some pitching issues, do you feel nervous?

A.J. Burnett continues to be very inconsistent. You never know what you will get from him. Sometimes that even changes from inning to inning.

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Yankees manager Joe Girardi was impressed enough to say he may have found a replacement in the starting rotation until Andy Pettitte returns from injury.

Who will be taking Pettitte’s spot? Dustin Moseley, who did just enough to earn another start after throwing six innings of one run ball in his first start since last April. The righty has battled back through an arm and hip surgery.

While he said he “felt calm from the get-go,” Moseley admitted he may have been trying too hard in the first inning.

That’s really the only time he got in a jam. In what could have developed into a disaster, the pitcher got out of a bases loaded situation and allowed just the one run.

After the first inning, Moseley calmed down and gave the Yankees all they could ask for. He would go six innings, giving up just that one run on four hits.

In all, 55 of his 83 pitches were strikes, as Moseley showed confidence and attacked the strike zone all night. His next start will come Tuesday at Yankee Stadium against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Yankees have been linked to some starting pitchers as the trade deadline approaches, but this quality start by Moseley may make them think twice. Their focus is likely more on the bullpen.

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Despite General Manager Brian Cashman’s continued claim that the Yankees do not need another starting pitcher, the team continues to pursue the top names.

New York is reportedly actively pursuing Arizona Diamondbacks’ starter Dan Haren. The two teams have gone as far as naming names and proposing deals. An agreement has not been made as of yet.

Arizona asked for struggling reliever Joba Chamberlain, highly regarded pitching prospect Ivan Nova, and two other prospects in return for Haren. The Yankees countered with a package entirely made of prospects.

The main issue appears to be the Diamondbacks asking the Yankees to pay the full $33 million remaining on Haren’s contract. New York may be willing to eat money, but not also include Chamberlain in that type of deal.

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Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before a turnaround can be put together.

Yankees starting pitcher AJ Burnett   has struggled the past two months, and Saturday’s start may be the worst yet. Not just because of his performance on the mound though. The worst part is what happened on his way into the clubhouse between innings.

Baseball is as much about keeping your emotions in check as it is about pure talent. The best players normally are able to stay calm through the good and bad times.

Burnett did anything but stay calm on Saturday. After struggling through the first two innings, Burnett took his frustration out on the door of the Yankees clubhouse.

As he made his way into the clubhouse, Burnett apparently slammed his hands on the clubhouse door, cutting his hands on the plexiglass lineup holder that was hanging.

Bring bad memories of Kevin Brown to mind? Sort of, but Brown actually broke his hand after punching a wall and ended up missing time. It appears Burnett will be able to make his next start.

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The New York Yankees enter the second half of the 2010 MLB season with the best record in the league and to much to complain about other than the inconsistent bullpen.

Throughout the first half the Yankees received the usual production from players like CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte , Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Jorge Posada. They also got some surprise performances from guys like Nick Swisher and Brett Gardner.

Robinson Cano is having an MVP-type season so far, and the Yankees will surely hope he can continue his excellent play.

Despite the performances from these players, the Yankees are not quite a complete team yet. We have not seen the lineup or the pitching staff reach it’s full potential.

To see the five players, click here . (Link will open in a new screen)

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